Download the 06 Challenge Film (23 mins)
Twelve adventurous students joined the Earthsharing Challenge for a dynamic weekend (October 6-8th) investigating environmental issues in Anglesea. The aim was for young people to video the weekend from their perspective to produce an educational documentary. The team wanted the DVD to replace those daggy old 1970’s environmental videos with something fresh and reflective of what young people want.
The camp was full of highlights, including the Opoeia campsite and its kooky UFO building, doing Vox Pops down the Anglesea main street and discovering a multi-level tree house that was built out of recycled materials (for just the cost of nails).
An indigenous welcome by David Tornier from the Wathaurong saw the students film a vast array of aboriginal tools, including shields that doubled as digging tools & canoe paddles.
Then we zipped off to the Anglesea sewerage farm. The team cautiously exited the van (some holding their noses), only to find the smell non-existant! Only when passing over the aeration part to the purification process was any smell recognised. Nick Stone & Greg from Barwon Water gave us a tour of the plant, showing how our waste is naturally bio-degraded. We heard how 20% of our waste is recycled as water to the local golf course and nearby parks. We all agreed on water’s importance for the future. Best of all, no-one puked!
The third visit on the Friday was to the Anglesea Alcoa mine. Some students were surprised to learn that such a mine existed in the area. It was well hidden. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to record anything said in the talk. One of our youngest participants, Lauren (Berwick Secondary, Year 8) was interested in Alcoa’s re-veg techniques. The process starts with undergrowth, then a few years later the planting of trees.
Round four saw an entertaining presentation by Sarah Reid from Corrangamite Catchment Water Authority. She soon had students involved in a recycled water taste testing competition. Well done to Lizzie (Geelong Grammar, Year 10) for daring to taste a sample – the team was pleased she didn’t try the brown one (we later found out it was just food colouring!). Then it was on to playing a new board game designed to teach how rivers naturally work and how the new water allocation policy would work. Here is the team next to the scenic Anglesea River.
After a challenging day it was back to camp where the team were soon zooming around exploring the carnival type mess room, the Olympic swimming pool & of course the UFO.
The next two days were a similar whirlwind, with the students split into three teams, filming from three perspectives – History, Current Issues & Solutions. Soon they had a grip on the various roles, including camera person, interviewer, logger, boom and director.
We could tell you more, but you will have to wait for the DVD to be sent to your school.
Email to register interest if you are a teacher or a student who would like a copy for your school (cost $5 to cover costs). We expect the film to be ready by early 2007.
More Earthsharing Challenge Camp photos
DVD Details